Cardoza, Alvaro
(2021)
Active Power Distribution Node Enhanced Reconfigurable Grids and their Effects on Distributed Energy Resource Availability.
Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
As interest for using more DC distribution systems increase, there is a need for developing effective DC-DC interfacing power electronic devices for managing power flow and power quality levels among a system’s increasingly diversified array of sources and loads. Some of the applications in which DC-DC power electronic interfaces are gaining increased attention include the information and communication technologies (ICT), electric vehicles, and renewable generation industries. There is a growing interest in these fields related to the integration of distributed generation (DG) technologies in electrical networks to ensure that DG power supply availability is increased.
This dissertation explores the use of a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) DC-DC modular multilevel converter (MMC) topology as nodes within a distribution network for managing power flow and power quality levels. Each power electronic node is referred to as an active power distribution node (APDN) and a network of these nodes creates a reconfigurable distribution grid architecture. This alternative and modular approach to designing distribution networks provides selective increased power supply availability to strategic loads within the structure, and in turn provides an increased utilization of renewable generation sources, which inherently have intermittent generation profiles. A DC test system was chosen as the focus for this work to reflect the prevalence and increased penetration of both DC generation and loads within electrical networks. The performance of the APDN converter will be evaluated individually for its general input and output characteristics and as part of a network of interacting APDNs. Key focus areas for assessing the APDN’s functionality include its MIMO power routing and power buffering abilities, its stability performance, and its ability to increase the availability of connected sources and loads. The results of this work aim to demonstrate the benefits of creating a reconfigurable distribution network and how it can more effectively meet the needs of the dynamically changing landscape of distribution network power generation and load profiles.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| ETD Committee: |
|
| Date: |
3 September 2021 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
16 July 2021 |
| Approval Date: |
3 September 2021 |
| Submission Date: |
22 July 2021 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Number of Pages: |
117 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
Swanson School of Engineering > Electrical and Computer Engineering |
| Degree: |
PhD - Doctor of Philosophy |
| Thesis Type: |
Doctoral Dissertation |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
power electronics, DCDC converter, distributed generation, availability model, minimal cut sets, stability analysis, energy storage, ultracapacitors |
| Date Deposited: |
03 Sep 2021 17:59 |
| Last Modified: |
03 Sep 2021 17:59 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/41475 |
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